Emergency response
Community foundations act quickly and efficiently in an emergency, using extensive connections with charities, community organisations, local authorities and people who to support local responses and build community resilience.
Collaboration is crucial in a crisis
We know from our work during the coronavirus pandemic that as much support as possible must go into community recovery early on to build the necessary resilience.
So, what does this look like in practice?
Natural events: community foundations convene local networks to prepare for and recover from local climate events, such as flooding and storms.
Traumatic events: community foundations act quickly in the aftermath of tragic events, such as the violent attack in Southport. Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside launched a co-ordinated appeal with the National Emergencies Trust that has since raised over £340,000 for those directly impacted on that day.
Financial crises: community foundations provide emergency funding to households experiencing poverty during financial crises and winter, raising millions of pounds from local donations to pay for heating, warm spaces, food hubs and mental health support.
Acting quickly in a natural disaster
Due to climate change, floods, storms and heat waves are becoming increasingly common, and they impact communities differently. Community foundations use local expertise and connections to get emergency support out quickly:
In 2016, following the largest fire in Exeter since World War II, Devon Community Foundation set up the Historic Exeter Fire Appeal which quickly raised over £25,000 to help those affected by the fire.
Lincolnshire Community Foundation supported Lincoln communities following Storm Babet in October 2023. You can read their report here.
In a region that is frequently impacted by flooding, Cumbria Community Foundation works with communities to build resilience to flooding and adapt to the changing climate. This includes providing support, resources and equipment to communities at risk of flooding, and testing new ways of flood prevention.
Responding in times of financial crisis
Vital voluntary services have been struggling with an increased cost of living on top of pre-existing financial difficulties, while simultaneously helping record levels of people in need of support.
Community foundations work with local partners to help charities and community groups address hyper-local issues and deprivation.
Money raised goes to food banks, warm spaces, debt advice lines, mental health groups, crisis support charities, community hubs and many other services that local people are still relying on in today's tough financial climate.
Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic caused national lockdowns in 2020, an unprecedented event of unknown magnitude gripped the nation.
The most vulnerable in society were hit the hardest. The UK experienced high levels of mental health issues, domestic violence, food insecurity, isolation and financial hardship, meaning emergency funding needed to get to frontline services fast.
UKCF partnered with the National Emergencies Trust to distribute over £76 million across the whole of the UK, raised by the public, through the Coronavirus Appeal.
Support your local community
There are lots of ways you can help your local community. Community foundations provide open and trusted advice and support, whether you want to give big or small, or simply learn more about the work happening in your area to build community resilience.